Unstoppable Teams

1. Build Your Action Platform: Master Your Mental, Emotional, and Physical Capabilities

"There are only three things you can control: your mental, emotional, and physical capabilities."

Mental mastery. Your thoughts shape your reality. Focus on what you can control and decide what to react to. Develop a growth mindset, embracing challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement. Practice positive self-talk and visualization techniques to overcome self-doubt and fear.

Emotional intelligence. Recognize and manage your emotions, as well as those of others. Develop empathy and active listening skills to build stronger relationships. Practice self-awareness and emotional regulation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness, to stay calm under pressure.

Physical readiness. Your body is the vehicle for your mind and emotions. Prioritize:

• Regular exercise to boost energy and mental clarity
• Proper nutrition to fuel your body and brain
• Adequate sleep for recovery and cognitive function
• Stress management techniques like meditation or yoga

2. Identify and Cultivate the Seven Traits of Unstoppable Teammates

"The most powerful teams are based on diversity of thought but not of heart."

Essential traits. Unstoppable teammates possess:

1. Competence: A curiosity to learn and master new skills
2. Perspective: Thoughtfulness about how experiences shape attitudes
3. Communication: The ability to express ideas and emotions effectively
4. Drive: A strong work ethic and hunger for success
5. Humility: Self-awareness and respect for others
6. Flexibility: Openness to new perspectives and adaptability
7. Selflessness: Willingness to serve others and prioritize team goals

Cultivate diversity. Seek out teammates with complementary skills and perspectives. Encourage a culture where differences are valued and leveraged for team success. Foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their unique strengths and ideas.

Continuous improvement. Regularly assess and develop these traits within yourself and your team. Provide opportunities for growth through training, mentorship, and challenging assignments. Celebrate progress and encourage teammates to push beyond their perceived limits.

3. Connect Through Communication, Credibility, and Commitment

"People are not going to follow you as a leader unless you show them that you're real. They are not going to believe you unless they trust you. And they are not going to trust you unless you always tell them the truth and admit when you were wrong."

Effective communication. Master the art of connection:

• Non-verbal: Body language, facial expressions, eye contact (55% of communication)
• Tone: How you say it (38% of communication)
• Words: What you say (7% of communication)

Practice active listening, ask thoughtful questions, and provide constructive feedback. Tailor your communication style to different personalities and situations.

Build credibility. Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and humility in all your actions. Take ownership of mistakes and learn from them. Follow through on commitments and be transparent about challenges. Consistently align your words with your actions to earn trust and respect.

Unwavering commitment. Show dedication to your team and its goals through consistent, reliable behavior. Lead by example, setting high standards for yourself and others. Be present and engaged, offering support and guidance when needed. Your commitment will inspire loyalty and motivate your team to give their best effort.

4. Set Aspirational Goals and Empower Your Team to Achieve Them

"OTH goals stretch into the unknown and often trigger a response of self-doubt."

Aspirational goal-setting. Establish Over-The-Horizon (OTH) goals that push your team beyond their comfort zone. These ambitious objectives should:

• Inspire and unite the team around a common purpose
• Challenge existing limitations and spark innovation
• Provide opportunities for growth and learning

The Five A's of Achievement:

1. Aspire: Bring the goal to life, connecting it to personal meaning
2. Assume: Give team members space, resources, and confidence
3. Assess: Conduct frequent, transparent performance evaluations
4. Assure: Encourage and reassure the team of their purpose and progress
5. Appreciate: Show gratitude for individual and team efforts

Empower through trust. Delegate authority and decision-making power to your team. Provide the necessary resources and support, but resist the urge to micromanage. Encourage calculated risk-taking and view failures as learning opportunities. Celebrate both small wins and major accomplishments to build momentum and confidence.

5. Foster Mutual Respect to Fuel Greater Contributions

"When it comes to garnering commitment and engagement from employees, there is one thing that leaders need to demonstrate: Respect."

The Three Rs of Respect:

1. Realize: Respect comes from both authority and actions
2. Recognize: Acknowledge and celebrate individual contributions
3. Require: Make mutual respect a non-negotiable team value

Create a culture of respect. Lead by example, treating all team members with dignity and consideration. Encourage open communication and constructive feedback. Recognize and appreciate diverse perspectives and skill sets. Address disrespectful behavior promptly and consistently.

Unleash potential. When team members feel respected, they are more likely to:

• Take initiative and offer innovative ideas
• Collaborate effectively and support their colleagues
• Go above and beyond their assigned responsibilities
• Stay committed to the team and its goals long-term

Cultivate an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best work.

6. Empower Through Education, Enablement, and Engagement

"Empowerment isn't a task you can check off your list or test on paper; it develops over time and depends on creating an environment where every person on the team shares lessons learned and feels a responsibility to coach and support other team members' growth."

Education triangle. Implement a comprehensive learning approach:

1. Leapfrogging: In-house sharing of lessons learned and best practices
2. Externality: Formal training from outside experts in diverse fields
3. On-the-Job Training (OJT): Hands-on experience with mentoring and coaching

Enable success. Provide the necessary tools, resources, and authority for team members to excel in their roles. Remove obstacles and create an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Encourage calculated risk-taking and view failures as valuable learning experiences.

Engage continuously. Foster a culture of ongoing feedback and improvement:

• Regular check-ins and performance discussions
• Opportunities for cross-functional collaboration
• Recognition and rewards for growth and achievement
• Challenging assignments that stretch capabilities

Empower team members to take ownership of their development and contribute to the growth of others.

7. Activate the 10x Advantage by Expanding Your Team's Definition

"When you authentically extend the boundaries of your team to include your customers, contributors, and community, you exponentially increase your odds of success."

Expand your team definition. Look beyond traditional boundaries to include:

1. Customers: Those who use your products or services
2. Contributors: Suppliers, vendors, and partners
3. Community: Local organizations, schools, and stakeholders

Build meaningful relationships. Apply the CARE loop (Connect, Achieve, Respect, Empower) to all stakeholders. Seek ways to create mutual value and shared success. Engage these external "teammates" in your mission and vision.

Amplify your impact. The 10x advantage occurs when your extended team becomes invested in your success:

• Customers become loyal advocates and provide valuable feedback
• Contributors innovate and go above and beyond to support your goals
• Community members offer resources, connections, and support

By nurturing these relationships, you create a powerful ecosystem that magnifies your team's efforts and achievements. This expanded definition of "team" leads to exponential growth, resilience, and long-term success.

Last updated: August 9, 2024